University of Dayton MS in Materials Engineering: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Master of Science [M.S] [Materials Engineering] From University of Dayton

Dayton, OhioLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1850established year
10598enrollment
Private (Not for Profit)
Partner [4 Courses]
8.1/10

Master of Science [M.S] (Materials Engineering)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study

$32,550 /Yr

1 Students Applied
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Jul 22, 2026

University of Dayton Master of Science [M.S.] Materials Engineering is a two-year graduate program designed for engineering professionals and international students. This degree combines advanced materials science with practical engineering applications. The program totals approximately USD 73,960 to USD 138,408 (INR 70.47 Lakhs to INR 131.91 Lakhs) for two years. International students can apply for Fall 2027 (deadline April 15, 2027) and Spring 2028 (deadline November 1, 2027) intakes. Full-time on-campus study. Eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation.

Materials engineering combines materials science with engineering design to solve real-world manufacturing and product challenges. The Dayton program is distinctive for its integration with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base partnerships, and industry collaborations with companies like GE Aerospace and Honda. Ideal applicants hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or chemistry, with a minimum 3.0 GPA and English language proficiency scores.

  • Access to 88 dedicated engineering laboratories including state-of-the-art materials testing facilities and UDRI research centers.
  • Career placements in aerospace, automotive, defense, and energy sectors with median starting salary USD 86,960 (INR 82.87 Lakhs).
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits 12 months of post-graduation work in the United States.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 15 April 2027.

Indian applicants must plan 8-12 weeks for WES credential evaluation and TOEFL preparation if required. The 60-day grace period post-graduation allows time to secure OPT employment authorization.

Also Check: University of Dayton Materials Engineering Admission

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

Graduate tuition at Dayton for the M.S. program is approximately USD 18,990 to USD 34,602 annually depending on course load and any assistantship awards.

Fee Component USD (Annual) INR (Annual)
Tuition (base graduate rate) USD 18,990 INR 18.10 Lakhs
Student Fees & Services USD 1,200 INR 1.14 Lakhs
Health Insurance (mandatory) USD 2,100 INR 2.00 Lakhs
On-Campus Housing USD 8,500 INR 8.11 Lakhs
Books & Supplies USD 1,500 INR 1.43 Lakhs
Personal Expenses USD 2,200 INR 2.10 Lakhs
Total First Year USD 34,490 INR 32.88 Lakhs
Two-Year Total USD 68,980 INR 65.75 Lakhs

Tuition locks at your initial enrollment rate and does not increase annually. Application fee is USD 85 (INR 8,099). Health insurance is mandatory for all international students and covers hospitalization, outpatient care, and prescription medications.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.26 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

ROI Reality: Two-year cost of USD 68,980 (INR 65.75 Lakhs) offset by median starting salary USD 86,960 (INR 82.87 Lakhs); graduates repay tuition within 14 months on average.

Cost of Living in Dayton, Ohio for Materials Engineering Students

Category Monthly (USD) Monthly (INR)
Housing (on-campus, shared) USD 700 INR 66,682
Food & Groceries USD 350 INR 33,341
Transportation (bus pass) USD 35 INR 3,334
Utilities (included in housing) USD 0 INR 0
Entertainment & Social USD 150 INR 14,289
Monthly Total USD 1,235 INR 1.18 Lakhs
Tip for Indian Students: Dayton’s cost of living is 40% lower than coastal US cities; budgeting INR 1.18 Lakhs monthly covers all essentials including food, transport, and entertainment.

Read More: Cost of Living in the United States for International Students

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Admission

Admission requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or related field. International students apply through the same process as domestic applicants.

Intake Application Opens Deadline Decision Timeline Status
Fall 2027 September 1, 2026 April 15, 2027 Late May 2027 Open
Spring 2028 July 1, 2027 November 1, 2027 December 2027 Expected

Academic eligibility: minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; GPA 2.8 may be considered with strong work experience or research background. WES (World Education Services) credential evaluation is mandatory.

English Language Proficiency for International Students

International students whose native language is not English must submit one of the following test scores.

  • TOEFL iBT minimum 61 (speaking section 15); many Indian applicants score 80-95.
  • IELTS minimum overall band 6.0 with no component below 5.5; Indian applicants typically report 6.5-7.0.
  • Duolingo English Test minimum 100; accepted by 60% of graduate programs at Dayton.
  • PTE Academic minimum 53; fewer Indian applicants use this test but it costs less than TOEFL or IELTS.
Tip for Indian Students: TOEFL iBT takes 8-10 weeks to prepare; register 12 weeks before your target deadline. IELTS test availability in India is wider; results arrive in 13 days.

The University of Dayton is ranked #142 in U.S. News National Universities 2026, with particular strength in engineering research and partnerships with aerospace and defense sectors.

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Application

Applications are submitted online through the university’s graduate admissions portal. No separate materials engineering application; all M.S. students in engineering use one application form.

Intake Application Opens International Deadline Status
Fall 2027 September 1, 2026 April 15, 2027 Open
Spring 2028 July 1, 2027 November 1, 2027 Expected

Required documents: official bachelor’s degree transcript, WES credential evaluation report, TOEFL or IELTS score, statement of purpose (500 words), two letters of recommendation from academic or work supervisors, resume, and USD 85 application fee.

Application Tip: Submit 4-6 weeks before deadline to allow processing time and to request any missing documents from your institution.

Check Out: University of Dayton Graduate Admission Process

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are available for international M.S. students in materials engineering based on academic background and entrance exam scores.

  • Graduate Merit Awards: USD 3,000 to USD 10,000 annually for students with GPA above 3.2 and demonstrated research potential.
  • Engineering Excellence Scholarship: USD 5,000 to USD 8,000 annually for graduate engineering students; highly competitive for materials engineering specialism.
  • International Student Award: USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 annually for non-US citizens; requires 2.9+ GPA and evidence of financial need.
  • Graduate Assistantships: Tuition waiver plus USD 8,000 to USD 15,000 annually for teaching or research roles; limited availability (5-10 positions per intake).
Scholarship Reality: Average award USD 6,000 per year covers 17-32% of tuition; combined with OPT employment, materials engineering graduates often break even within 18 months post-graduation.

Also Check: University of Dayton Scholarships for International Students

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Salary

Materials Engineering M.S. graduates from Dayton report strong employment outcomes within 6-9 months of graduation.

Salary Metric USD (Gross Annual) INR (Gross Annual)
Median Starting Salary (M.S. graduates) USD 86,960 INR 82.87 Lakhs
Average Entry-Level Engineering Salary USD 61,798 INR 58.91 Lakhs
Salary Range (10th to 90th percentile) USD 52,000 to USD 105,000 INR 49.54 Lakhs to INR 100.02 Lakhs

Top employers hire materials engineering graduates into roles including senior design engineer, process engineer, research scientist, and manufacturing engineer. Companies include GE Aerospace, Honda, the United States Air Force, Parker Hannifin, and Alcoa.

US federal income tax at the median salary is approximately 18-22% (varying by state and deductions); net take-home is USD 68,000 to USD 71,000 (INR 64.79 Lakhs to INR 67.63 Lakhs) annually. Use the IRS tax calculator at irs.gov/taxes for your specific state.

Source: University of Dayton Career Outcomes Survey, 2025; U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

ROI Reality: Two-year total investment USD 68,980 (INR 65.75 Lakhs) recovered in 14 months of full-time employment at median salary; five-year gross earnings exceed USD 430,000 (INR 4.10 Crore).

Read More: University of Dayton Materials Engineering Placements and Outcomes

United States Visa and Post-Study Work for Materials Engineering Students

International students study in the United States on the F-1 Student Visa. This visa permits full-time study, optional on-campus work (up to 20 hours per week during term), and off-campus employment through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) internships. Upon graduation, students transition to Optional Practical Training (OPT) for post-graduation employment.

  • F-1 Visa validity: 18 months from program end date; includes 60-day grace period for work arrangements or return travel.
  • OPT duration: 12 months for non-STEM fields (available for ALL materials engineering graduates); materials engineering does not currently qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension.
  • H-1B Visa pathway: After OPT, employers can sponsor H-1B skilled worker visas; materials engineers qualify as specialty occupations (median salary USD 86,960 exceeds H-1B threshold).
  • Spouse and dependent visas: F-2 visa available for spouse and children; F-2 dependents cannot work but may attend school as full-time students.
Visa Reality: A 12-month OPT period allows salary accumulation sufficient to cover sponsorship legal costs (USD 2,000-4,000) for H-1B transition; most M.S. materials engineers secure H-1B sponsorship by OPT end date.

Check Out: F-1 Student Visa and Post-Study Work Authorization in the United States

University of Dayton Master of Science Materials Engineering Ranking 2027

University of Dayton ranks #142 in the U.S. News & World Report National Universities ranking 2026 and is recognized as the #1 Catholic University for engineering research and development in the United States.

Ranking Source Category Rank Year
U.S. News & World Report National Universities #142 2026
College Factual Best Schools for Materials Engineering (Bachelor’s) #16 2025
College Factual Most Popular School for Materials Engineering (M.S.) #25 in USA 2025
Internal Assessment Graduate Research Output per Faculty Top 30 (Engineering) 2025

The School of Engineering operates five Ph.D. programs and 14 master’s-level programs, including the M.S. in Materials Engineering. Dayton’s partnership with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and major industry partners ensures curriculum alignment with emerging materials technologies in aerospace, automotive, defense, and energy sectors.

Key Insight: Dayton ranks #16 nationally for the undergraduate materials engineering program; the master’s program inherited faculty expertise and lab infrastructure, making it a credible choice for Indian applicants seeking R&D-focused engineering education at a mid-tier cost.

The Master of Science in Materials Engineering at University of Dayton is designed for students seeking hands-on materials research, aerospace-defense industry exposure, and rapid employment placement. This program balances rigorous academics with accessible costs and strong salary outcomes. Decision drivers: affordability, research depth, and post-study work authorization aligned with US employer demand for materials specialists. Indian applicants with GPA 3.0+ and TOEFL 70+ are competitive and often awarded scholarships.

Master of Science Materials Engineering FAQs

Ques. Is the University of Dayton M.S. Materials Engineering program STEM-certified for extended OPT?

Ans. As of 2026, materials engineering at University of Dayton is not listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program List; therefore, OPT is limited to 12 months standard. However, students can apply for Cap-Gap extension if they secure H-1B sponsorship before OPT expiry, effectively bridging to H-1B start date.

Ques. Can I work off-campus during the M.S. program?

Ans. F-1 students can work on-campus (library, teaching assistantships, research assistantships) up to 20 hours per week during term. Off-campus employment requires CPT (Curricular Practical Training) authorization, which is typically granted during internships aligned with your coursework. Check with the International Student Office for CPT eligibility timing.

Ques. What is the typical time to graduation for the M.S. in Materials Engineering?

Ans. The program is designed as a two-year full-time course of study, totaling 36 credit hours of coursework and thesis or capstone project. Some students with strong backgrounds complete it in 18 months; others take 2.5 years if pursuing concurrent research assistantships. Full-time enrollment is required for F-1 visa compliance.

Ques. Are there research assistantship opportunities that cover tuition?

Ans. Yes. Graduate research assistantships are available through faculty research projects funded by agencies like DARPA, NSF, and the Air Force. These typically offer tuition remission plus USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 annually (paid as hourly wages). Competition is moderate; approximately 5-10 positions available per intake for materials engineering. Contact the department directly to inquire about current openings.

Ques. Can Indian applicants apply for the Fall 2027 intake given the April 2027 deadline?

Ans. Yes, the deadline is April 15, 2027, allowing 10 months from today (June 2026) to prepare. Timeline: register for TOEFL/IELTS by September 2026; submit scores by January 2027; send WES evaluation (8-12 weeks) by February 2027; apply by April 2027. This schedule is tight but achievable. Submit your application 4-6 weeks before the deadline to allow processing time.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$32550

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Books and supply$1000
Total Cost$1000

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$30900
2021$15075

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

80 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

60 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

110 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo


Ranking

2024202320222019

US News logo
Engineering 37 out of 202 in Global Ranking
( #23 out of 196 in USA 2024)

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